The Cultural Significance and Specialization of Orcas

Humans have culture and so do killer whales. Different groups of orcas have distinct ways of communicating, greeting, hunting, and eating. These cultural differences can even lead to physical adaptations, potentially resulting in different species of killer whales. However, cultural stubbornness may pose challenges for adaptation to changing environments. While some orcas have shown flexibility in learning new skills, overall they tend to be conservative and less likely to experiment. This reliance on specific ways of eating could backfire if their preferred food source becomes scarce or unavailable.